An anti-idiotype vaccine for AIDS based on the HIV receptor

Idiotype studies have been important in our study of the HIV/CD4 interaction. They have predicted the binding site on CD4 and showed that it is the same amongst all HIV-I isolates, and therefore a formidable candidate for the design of effective therapeutic and vaccine strategies against HIV. Future research could implicate an anti-idiotype approach to a prophylactic vaccine. It is important to note that an anti-idiotype response may be needed to prime an immune response against a viral epitope which may be used as a secondary component. The use of anti-idiotype responses in infected persons may be able to tip the balance of the immune system so that the body is able to control HIV infection. Until recently the use of anti-idiotypic approaches in the design of HIV vaccines has been sadly neglected.